One of the scariest parts of going to college can be the admissions process. You spend months looking for just the right schools where you want to apply, you submit a small form, and then–you wait. It can be a bit excruciating for students who are hoping for a quick answer.
In the world of online business degrees, the process is often a bit different.
While some online business degree programs are selective, many are open enrollment for students meeting the criteria for admission. The timeline for enrollment is also different. Many online programs have staggered start dates throughout the year, allowing students to enroll at the time that makes the most sense for their schedule.
That being said, most online BBA / BABA programs still require applicants to meet minimum requirements and often strongly suggest prerequisite coursework for admission.
Here’s a look at what you’ll be expected to provide before applying.
Prerequisite coursework
Not all–but many–online BBA and BABA programs will require incoming students to have specific coursework completed.
You can probably understand why this is the case. In most traditional business schools, students need to complete 2 years of undergraduate general education courses before entering a business program.
In this case, it’s much the same. Many programs will request–or, strongly encourage–that students have an AA or AS degree before applying for an undergraduate business program.
Some programs, such as the business program at the University of Florida Heavener School of Business, encourage students to transfer in with 60+ credits, but they do allow students without an associate’s degree to take additional coursework after enrolling, if necessary.
Generally, the coursework required or requested for admission includes classes such as:
- English Comp 101
- English Comp 102
- Introduction to Statistics
- Microeconomic
- Macroeconomic
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- Introduction to Business Computing
- Business Law
GPA requirements
Most online business programs will require that incoming students meet a minimum GPA for their prerequisite coursework and/or maintain a minimum GPA while enrolled.
Although these vary from program to program, Rutgers University online requires students to have a 2.5 minimum incoming GPA. California State University, Fullerton’s online business program requires a 2.0 minimum incoming GPA.
For most institutions, students must have and maintain a GPA of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 in order to be eligible for admissions and remain enrolled.
Admissions test scores
Because most online business degree programs will require students to enter either with prerequisite coursework or an AA/AS degree, many of them do not have explicit admissions requirements for a student’s ACT or SAT score.
Since this is an undergraduate program, students won’t be required to sit for the GRE or other graduate-level admissions testing for admission.
Required documents
Applying to one of these programs will usually not require any letters of recommendation or other documentation.
But they will request official copies of high school and college transcripts with relevant coursework and grades.
